ART. 27] CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. 795

or the State's attorney shall elect to have the case tried before
court, it shall be the duty of the justice of the peace to give a
preliminary hearing, except in cases where such hearing is
waived by the accused, and if there be a probable cause of
guilt, to commit or bail the accused for the action of the court
having jurisdiction.

1892, ch. 340, sec. 2. 1900, ch. 462.

60. Whenever a fine is imposed in any such case by any
court or justice of the peace, one-half thereof shall be paid to
the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
of Baltimore city; in case there shall be no society of similar
character in the county, city or town where the offense shall
have been committed, in which latter event the said one-half of
the fine shall be paid to the said local society; and any officer
of said society, or any society or association incorporated for
the prevention of cruelty to animals, duly incorporated under
the laws of this State, shall upon his own view of any misde-
meanor in relation to cruelty to animals make arrests and bring
before any magistrate or justice of the peace offenders found
violating the laws of this State in relation to cruelty to animals.

1892, ch. 340, sec. 3.

61. The justice of the peace before whom any party accused
shall be brought for his action under the provision of sections
57 to 61 shall, before proceeding to try and determine the
case, make known to such party his right to a trial before the
court having criminal jurisdiction, as aforesaid, and shall
obtain from such party a written waiver of said right, signed
by such party, to be filed among the proceedings in the case
and to be noted on the docket of said justice.

1894, ch. 142, sec. 1.

62. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to shoot
or otherwise kill or maim any Antwerp or homing pigeon, com-
monly called and known by the name of "carrier pigeon,"
either while in flight or at rest.

Ibid. seo. 2.

63. Any person violating the provisions of the preceding
section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction
shall for every such offense pay a fine not exceeding ten dollars.